Zanjoe, Rochelle and Zion star in heartwarming Puregold CinePanalo tale

“Apol of My Ai” explores first love, family ties, and kundiman.

A schoolboy, seriously smitten. A beloved music teacher. And a tricky situation: his crush may be falling for his father. This is the complicated setup of “Apol of My Ai,” the upcoming Puregold CinePanalo feature starring Zanjoe Marudo, Rochelle Pangilinan, and rising child actor Zion Cruz in his first major big-screen role.

Directed by Thop Nazareno, the film follows Apolinario “Apol” Medina Jr., a grade school kid who insists he knows exactly what love feels like. And for Apol, love looks a lot like Ma’am Ai. Played by Pangilinan, Ai is the warm-hearted music teacher behind the Quiapo Elementary Chorale. She shares Apol’s passion for music and quickly becomes the object of his infatuation.

Then Tatay Poli enters the equation. Played by Marudo, Poli is Apol’s single father, best friend, and partner in everyday life. Together, they run the family’s Kundimall Vintage Surplus Shop, their relationship shaped by the closeness that comes from having only each other. But when Apol senses that something may be developing between his father and Ma’am Ai, his harmless crush takes a serious turn. As Apol joins the chorale and discovers his own voice through kundiman, changes at home begin testing the bond between father and son. A decision by Poli threatens to create distance between them, forcing Apol to confront emotions much bigger than his young heart can take.

At the center of the story is Zion Cruz, a rising young actor to watch. As Apol, Cruz takes on a role that moves from innocence to the painful realization that growing up sometimes means accepting choices you do not understand. The project reunites Cruz with Nazareno, following their earlier collaboration in “Ang Himala ni Niño.” Cruz has also earned Child Performer of the Year at the PMPC Star Awards for Television and Child Star of the Year at the Platinum Stallion National Media Awards.

As Tatay Poli, Marudo plays a father whose world revolves around his son, even as his own choices begin redefining their relationship. Poli wants what is best for Apol. But as the boy starts forming his own ideas about love, family, and where he belongs, father and son find themselves confronting feelings neither can easily put into words.

For Pangilinan, “Apol of My Ai” brings music back to the center of her screen life. Long before she became a familiar figure in television dramas such as “Encantadia,” “Onanay,” and “Lolong,” Pangilinan gained popularity through the SexBomb phenomenon. Now she plays Teacher Ai, who introduces Apol to a deeper appreciation of singing and kundiman—and unwittingly becomes part of his very first romantic dilemma. To Apol, she is the teacher who understands his love for music. To Tatay Poli, she may be something more. And that is where the film’s sweetest and most awkward moments begin.

“Apol of My Ai” explores the many shapes love can take: first love, parental love, romantic love, and the difficult kind that means allowing someone you care about to grow and change. Music ties these emotions together, with kundiman giving Apol a chance to express feelings he may still be too young to understand. As Cruz steps into one of his most important roles yet, the film promises humor, music, kilig, and family drama built around one relatable youthful discovery: Sometimes your first heartbreak happens before your first romance even begins.

“Apol of My Ai” is one of seven full-length films competing at the 2026 Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival, running from September 23 to October 4 at Gateway Cineplex 18, TriNoma, Fairview Terraces, Ayala Malls Feliz, Ayala Malls Circuit, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, and Market! Market!

Tickets are priced at ₱250, with a discounted ₱200 rate available for PWDs, senior citizens, students, national athletes, and Aling Puring and Perks cardholders. A ₱2,000 festival pass gives moviegoers complete access to all seven full-length films and 19 student shorts. Festival passes will be available starting September 22 at Gateway Cineplex 18, and from September 23 onwards at both Gateway Cineplex 18 and TriNoma.

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